First NewBraska Festival slated for May 14

* There's tons of news in the metro this week, so strap in. The folks at The New BLK, Omahype.com, HearNebraska.org, The Slowdown and The Reader, which you're obviously reading right now, are raising funds for the first ever NewBraska Festival. The outdoor event, scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 12th and Jones streets, is raising funds via Kickstarter.com, in order to bring together 8 or 9 bands, visual artists and food to celebrate the end of the Big Omaha Conference. The event organizers are looking to raise $10,000 on Kickstarter by Friday, April 15.
* DJ Kobrakyle, Kyle Richardson, took a break from the 18-plus crowd to put on a Saturday ngiht Gunk for Grownups at the Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St., and Gettin' Dusty at the Barley Street Tavern, 2735 N. 62nd St. While I missed out on Gunk, Gettin' Dusty was a great, relaxed night out, as Richardson played through stacks of classic soul. The event had a bring-in-your-favorites feel that hopefully will catch on. I'm looking forward to the next time this goes down.
* Jazz pianist Gerard Clayton and vocalist Lisa Henry will perform at Jazz restaurant, 1421 Farnam Street, Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m., following a week of appearances and workshops at several Omaha Public School's high schools and one middle school. The duo will be joined by five Dallas high school musicians, who will perform at the schools then work side-by-side with student musicians in Central, Northwest, Burke, South High schools, as well as Beveridge Middle School. The tour is sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
* Baby Tears, the local three-piece ode to desolation and despair, are working on a full-length recording and have offered two tracks as forewarning of what is to come. The band also promises to post demos of more material soon. Check it and other Baby Tears tracks out at bbbabytears.blogspot.com.
* A tip of the hat to the Waiting Room for booking Jessica Lea Mayfield for a Wednesday, May 11 show. The Ohio singer's latest album Tell Me is a collection of stark, American gothic country recommended to anyone who enjoys Neko Case or Lucinda Williams.
* Check thereader.com all this week for Backbeat dispatches from the South by Southwest musical festival in Austin, Tex. See you there, Satchel Grande and others.